Alastair Cook, MS Dhoni lead ICC Test, ODI teams

Alastair Cook and MS Dhoni have been named captains of the ICC's Test and ODI Teams of the Year. Dale Steyn was included in the Test side for the sixth successive year, while Dhoni made the ODI line-up for the sixth consecutive year as well. Performances between August 7, 2012 and August 25, 2013 were considered by a panel chaired by former India captain Anil Kumble, also the ICC cricket committee chairman.

 ICC Test Team of the Year (in batting order)
Alastair Cook (capt), Cheteshwar Pujara, Hashim Amla, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni (wk), Graeme Swann, Dale Steyn, James Anderson, Vernon Philander, R Ashwin (12th man)

ICC ODI Team of the Year (in batting order)

Tillakaratne Dilshan, Shikhar Dhawan, Hashim Amla, Kumar Sangakkara, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Saeed Ajmal, Mitchell Starc, James Anderson, Lasith Malinga, Mitchell McClenaghan (12th man)

Hashim Amla was named in the Test side for the fourth straight year, while Cook made an appearance for the third year on the trot.

"It is always tough to decide on the Test and ODI teams of the year, with so many worthy candidates to consider based on the players' performances between 7 August 2012 and 25 August 2013," Kumble said. "The selection panel had a lengthy debate on all the top performers during the performance period and a number of combinations were considered.

"The selectors did utilise a vast amount of statistics from the period under observation, but we also took into account other factors like the opposition, pitch conditions, match situation and the like. But when you have only 12 places to fill from a big group of world-class players, there will always be a few who will miss out. In the panel's expert opinion, it has selected the best Test and ODI teams based on performances over the past 12 months."

The other members of the panel were former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, former England captain Alec Stewart, former South Africa batsman Graeme Pollock, and former New Zealand women's player Catherine Campbell.

Courtesy: ICC news, ESPNcricinfo

Source: http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/695999.html

ICC Champions Trophy final: India and England Both are Prepared

After a photo shoot with Alastair Cook, Mahendra Singh Dhoni walked in nine feet tall in his pre-final media conference at the Edgbaston media centre here on Saturday afternoon. With an unshaven face, the Indian skipper sported a broad grin and showed no signs of pressure before the final of a major tournament.

Winning is such a galvanizing factor. This Indian team at the Champions Trophy has done no wrong and whatever Dhoni touches is turning into gold. Supremely confident, Dhoni handles the media on his own terms. He hooks, he pulls and even switch hits questions. The "one-question-per-person" media code of conduct often sees incomplete answers and transcripts haven't always helped.

Many of Dhoni's answers in Saturday's press conference were difficult to fathom. Especially, one on England's poor record in ODI finals of global events and another one on whether the 1983 World Cup win at Lord's in the month of June inspires Team India.

Speaking on Sunday's Champions Trophy final, Dhoni was clear when he said there were no special plans against England here at Edgbaston. "We will go with the same approach like we did in the match against Pakistan and the semifinal (versus Sri Lanka)," said the Indian captain.

Saying that India have played very good cricket in the Champions Trophy so far, Dhoni added the team was relaxed and the only concern was the death bowling. "Death bowlers have been a concern. It's an area we need to improve as a team."

Dhoni admitted England's pace attack had the quality to test the best of batsmen.

"The English are a very good team, especially the bowlers. What we are excited about is the fact our top order has done well, and also the fact that they have played some of the best bowlers in world cricket so far in the tournament. So I think they are quite well prepared for the English bowlers, it's just that like in every game, you have to apply," Dhoni said.

The Indian captain didn't read much into India's horrible English summer in 2011. India were whitewashed in both the Test and ODI series, but Dhoni doesn't want history to haunt the current team's mental preparation.

"Well, you go through ups and downs. I think what's important is to accept the fact that we didn't do really well in that series. We have done well in this series so let's think about that," Dhoni said.

Dhoni said India's ODI performance in 2011 was relatively better than the Tests and the team was hampered by injuries and the rain. "I lost all the tosses and every game it rained. We were supposed to operate with two spinners, and with the wet ball it became very difficult," Dhoni explained.

With rain threatening Sunday's final, Dhoni said the toss could become a factor but a lot will depend on the immediate conditions. "If it's bright and sunny, I don't think it will have that much of an impact, but if it's overcast and there is a bit of rain before the start of the game, then it may have an impact on the game. So I think as of now it's quite balanced. I don't think the toss will be very crucial," he said.

Dhoni said it was an important final from an Indian point of view. "We will have good support and we must play for the fans. It should be a good game for the spectators," the skipper said with a large grin. 

Source: Sports